The Nigeria Police Force has paraded four suspects, including two nephrologists, over an alleged organ-harvesting and trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State.
The suspects were presented during a police briefing, where investigators alleged that the group targeted vulnerable young men and persuaded them to donate their kidneys in exchange for relatively small payments.
According to the police, one alleged victim was paid about $1,250, while another reportedly received N7 million after his kidney was removed.
Investigators further alleged that members of the syndicate used forged documents to facilitate the procedures and conceal the identities of some of the donors.
The documents reportedly included birth certificates, affidavits, consent letters and identification papers.
During the briefing, one of the alleged victims recounted how he was reportedly deceived into undergoing a kidney donation.
The police also said investigations had uncovered alleged attempts to manipulate donors’ identities through fraudulent documentation.
A representative of Wellington Clinic, where some of the alleged procedures were carried out, also addressed journalists.
The representative reportedly claimed that the hospital merely provided a platform for the surgeries and was unaware of the alleged illegal activities involving the alteration of donors’ identities.
The police said investigations were ongoing, adding that efforts were being made to identify and apprehend other individuals allegedly connected to the syndicate.
Authorities are expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged kidney removals and determine the roles of the suspects as the investigation progresses.
